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Bad smells in the home and how to deal with them

Bad smells have an unruly habit of making their presence known when company is around.  They linger in the strangest places and seem to wait around corners to jump out at you.

According to a survey done by Ambi Pur, bathroom smells (toilet and diaper), cooking odours (particularly fish) and garbage smells proved to be the most common and some of the toughest odours to remove.

Other smells which also ranked highly on the survey were cigarettes, pets and musty smells. 

The overarching theme of the feedback received was that our sense of smell has more of an impact on our lives and behaviours than we may consciously realise.  Not only do bad household odours affect how we feel about our homes, they also play a role in informing a range of decisions around the house including what we choose to cook and how we entertain.

Interestingly, a similar survey carried out globally revealed food-related odours from traditional Indian cooking including garlic and spices were the toughest smells to get rid of in India. In the US, the most predominant odours weren’t bathroom related either, but attributed more to food and pets.

Top Tips to take care of odours in your home and keep your home smelling fresh

After cooking and eating, refresh the air around you by spraying a little air freshener.  Our noses become immune to odours after around 15 minutes so just because you can no longer smell your meal doesn’t mean it’s no longer lingering in the air

If your child is sleeping away from home, unfamiliar surroundings can make them pine for home.  Spray a sleeping bag or hotel pillow with a familiar scent to bring back pleasant memories of home

Before turning on your lights put a little air freshener onto a cold light bulb.  Turn it on and as the bulb warms up it will gently release the fragrance into the room

Keep mildew at bay by drying shower walls with a towel and keeping the cubicle door open to let the air circulate

Pleasant smells can help your home feel friendly and welcoming. Try using air freshener in your hallway so that guests feel invited in from the moment you open the door.

Wipe Your Pet's Feet: If you aren't into keeping a towel by the door to wipe off paws, try a plush mat or rug outside your door to help catch falling debris before it ends up around the house.

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